Media Statements

Following numerous defamatory statements and utterances made by leaders of the South African Liberated Public Service Workers' Union (SALIPSWU), Thobile Ntola and Mbuyiseni Mathonsi against the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) and certain of its leaders, SADTU and the affected leaders have initiated legal proceedings in both the Durban and Pretoria High Courts to sue for damages arising out of these reckless and defamatory statements.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) welcomes the conclusion of the South African Council of Educators (SACE) and the South African Police Service investigations into allegations that the Provincial Secretary of SADTU in KZN, Nomarashiya Caluza, did not have initial professional teaching qualifications and/or that her academic qualifications were fraudulent. The mere conclusion of these investigations, never mind the outcomes thereof, is very important to ensure that both SADTU and the Provincial Secretary can focus on their core business of serving members and the work she was elected for respectively.

In three days' time, the world will be celebrating International Women's Day. SADTU will commemorate this day by recommitting to the fight against women abuse and domestic violence. The recent video that was in circulation showing Bongekile Simelane Aka Babes Wodumo as a victim of domestic violence and women abuse in the hands of her lover Mandla Maphumulo Aka Mampintsha is a true reflection of what is taking place in our society. Even though there are good men, there are still pockets who see themselves as superior to women.

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) in the North West, welcomes with reservations the 10-year- sentence handed down on a 17-year-old by the Leurutshe magistrate's court for the murder of Ramotshere High School teacher and SADTU member, 24-year old Gadimang Daniel Mokolobate.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), the largest union in the education sector, finds it hard to accept the 2019 budget speech which seeks to undermine and overburden the public service. The public service has become the sacrificial lamb in order to appease ratings agencies and business.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Eastern Cape will, on Saturday, honour members who attained above 80% in the subjects they teach in the 2018 National Senior Certificate examinations. The teachers will be feted at a gala event to be held at the ICC in East London.

We act herein on behalf of the South African Democratic Teachers Union and the following individuals : Walter Hlaise, Lucas Magope Mpahila, Nomarashiya Caluza and Veronica Hofmeester at whose instance we address this letter to you.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union has noted with grave concern the press statement made by SALIPSWU wherein various unfounded allegations are made regarding SADTU and various leaders of SADTU.

The union has learned with shock the accidental death of three and the injury of twenty three learners at Hoerskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark following the collapse of a pathway immediately after the school assembly this morning. This is indeed a sad moment.

As many of you are aware, the Public Investment Corporation Inquiry established by President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to probe allegations of impropriety at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has begun.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union in Gauteng welcomes the release of the South African Human Rights Commission report titled 'REPORT INTO THE INEQUALITY IN ELDORADOPARK AND SURROUNDING AREAS AND DISRUPTION AT KLIPSPRUIT WEST SECONDARY SCHOOL AND SURROUNDING SCHOOLS'.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) expresses it sincerest condolences to its sister union in COSATU, the Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa (LIMUSA) and the Gina family for the untimely passing on of its founder member and General Secretary, Cedric Gina.

SADTU on the 7th January 2019 raised the matter with the Department of Education after being alerted by schools. In response, the Department of Education indicated that one service provider had not fulfilled the mandate of delivering, despite being paid. A commitment was however made that delivery would be made by Friday, 18 January 2019, which never happened.

SADTU Gauteng commends the law enforcement agencies and the contribution of Tsakane community for the apprehension of suspects linked to the stealing of equipment at Menzi Primary school. We are pleased with the recovery of some of the stolen items.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), the largest union of education workers in South Africa, strongly condemns the robbery at the newly-built state-of-the-art Menzi Primary school in Tsakane where nearly 200 tablets, teachers’ laptops and projectors were among the items stolen.

Teachers in general and our members in particular are applauded for their sacrifices in putting more effort and working tirelessly by teaching extra-time in the form of morning classes, holiday classes, Saturday classes and study camps.

South Africa’s biggest union in the education sector, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) welcomes all teachers and learners back to school when the academic year begins on 9 January 2019.